Voice Command Flush Module

ABSTRACT

The invention is a self-contained module placed within residential toilet tanks to allow the toilet to be flushed using voiced word command. The existing toilets flush handle remains installed and operable. The device operates the toilet flush valve by lifting the toilets existing flush bar. The device provides a low cost means of converting the majority of existing toilets to operate in a voice/word/phrase activated no-touch flush mode. The device is powered by four (4) AA batteries which will last 2-3 years in residential use. 
     In addition to operation based on voiced words the unit may be set to detect the occupant and flush the toilet when the occupant vacates the bathroom. Vacation mode will flush the toilet automatically at the end of 72 continuous hours of inactivity 
     This device may also be constructed to operate by sensing the presence of your hand using a short range infrared sensor.

Related Applications

This utility patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61615291, filed 25 Mar. 2012, titled “Voice Command Flush Module”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices which flush toilets automatically without having to touch the flush handle.

2. Prior Art

Nearly all residential and many commercial buildings contain toilets having toilet flush handles used to manually activate the toilets flush valve. Larger public institutions have installed sensors which detect human presence and, typically, activate the flush valve when the occupant has left the area or after a time delay. This device is designed to quickly convert most toilets having a flush handle to automatic operation either by recognizing certain words or phrases or by detecting the occupant using a sensor. The device is self-contained, battery operated, does not require any changes to existing toilets and maintains the operability of the toilets existing flush handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodiments, as well as a preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a flush activation device installed in a typical toilet.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the complete flush module assembly (less the microphone).

FIG. 4 is an illustration the side view of the flush module shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a disassembled flush module showing the portion having the electronic and electrical components, the portion referred to as the cover and the external microphone/speaker componentry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A toilet tank 10 has an open top 11, which in use is covered by a removable lid (not shown). A central water discharge aperture and an inlet aperture are formed in the bottom of the tank (not shown).

The voice command flush module 14 is attached to the top of the toilet tank 11 by adjusting the mounting clips 15 against the tank and tightening them with the knobs 19.

The voice command flush module 14 and its lift rod .17 and lift arm 18 are positioned to be just under the toilets lift lever 12. Once positioned the lift arm 18 is secured to the lift rod 17 using the pressure knob 23. The lift arm may be positioned to either side of the lift rod if needed to locate properly under the toilet lift lever.

The microphone 28 may be installed over either the left or right outside top of the toilet tank 11 using the attached clip 29. The microphone 28 resides just under the toilet tank lid and next to the outside of the toilet tank 11.

The lift wheel 16 will rotate 360 degrees (in 2 seconds) when the voice command module 14 recognizes the pre-programmed word(s) for flush. This action lifts the toilet lift lever 12 actuating the toilets flush valve. In the event the toilet does not flush the flush handle 13 may be manually operated in the normal fashion to activate the flush valve.

The lift wheel 16 has two positions for the lift rod 17. Position 20 is for left hand toilets and position 21 is for right hand toilets. The lift rod may be moved by removing the shoulder screw 41 and moving the rod and screw to position 21. In addition, for right hand use, the module mounting clips need to be attached to the opposite side of the module 25. The module assembly 14 is then rotated 180 degrees and positioned on right side of the tank. No other changes are required.

The lift wheel 16 is attached to the gearbox 32 shaft using set screws (not shown) leaving the face of the lift wheel unobstructed so the lift rod 17 may move freely over the surface remaining in the vertical pane while the lift wheel 16 rotates. The lift rod 16 is connected to the lift wheel 16 by a shoulder screw 41 on which it may rotate freely. This allows the lift rod 17 to remain vertical while being raised and lowered though the circular arc formed by the lift wheel 16 rotation.

The voice microprocessor 39 is considered a single chip solution having built-in digital inputs and outputs and other features to reduce or eliminate additional circuitry components.

The voice microprocessor 39 digital output is connected to the power relay 34 coil. The power relay contacts connect to the motor 31. In this manner the voice microprocessor 39 may turn the motor on and off to rotate the lift wheel 360 degrees (1 revolution).

The lift wheel 16 incorporates an integral magnet 22 which activates a reed relay 38 located within the plastic box on the printed circuit board 37. The reed relay 38 is connected to the voice microprocessors digital input. Upon microprocessor 39 recognition of the flush command the microprocessor will activate the power relay 34 coil which closes its contacts providing power to the motor 31 causing it to rotate. When the lift wheel 16 is rotated the microprocessor 39 looks for the reed relay 38 contact closure from its digital input. When obtained the microprocessor 39 will remove power to the motor 31 by stopping the digital output signal to the power relay 34 coil. In this manner the lift wheel 16 may always be directed to the rest position after motor 31 activation.

The lift module 14 is a two piece plastic housing with gasket to reduce humidity intrusion. One side of the module has the printed circuit board 37 screwed to it. Four screws (not shown) attach the two module sides together. The assembled module has integrated female threaded assembly 36 which allows the tank mounting clips 15 to be attached to either side of the module 14 using the knobs 19 which have a molded in threaded stud.

The mounting clips 15 are slotted to adjust to various thicknesses of the toilet side 11 and accept toilet front sides 11 which may be curved in an outward or inward direction.

The module assembly 14 is designed to reside fully within toilet tank, hidden from view of bathroom occupants. The module 14 is suspended off of and within the front side of the toilet tank. The side of module 14 contacts the toilet tank 11, sandwiching the toilet side 11 between itself and the mounting 15 clips vertical sides.

The printed circuit board 37 components include a voice microprocessor 39, a power relay 34, a magnetic reed relay 38, miscellaneous discrete components 33, a motor 31, a planetary gearbox 32, a connector 30 for microphone 28 cable and battery clips (not shown) for four AA batteries 40. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A device which utilizes the toilets existing flush valve to provide no touch flush actuation using voice commands, the combination of a plurality of parts consisting of a two piece water resistant rectangular plastic box containing a printed circuit board with voice command microprocessor, gear motor, magnetic reed relay, DC micro miniature signal relay, 4 AA battery holders, connector for external microphone connection; items external to the plastic box include an aluminum wheel mounted to the gear motor shaft, wheel having tapped holes to accept a vertical pull arm which is free to turn within the wheel, remaining vertical as the wheel rotates, a magnet used to activate the box mounted reed relay, a pull arm which accepts an adjustable horizontal pull bar, two brackets used to attach the box to the toilet tank, an Electret microphone in a small enclosure which also hooks over the toilet tank.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly utilizes the toilets existing lift lever, pulling the lift lever upwards to activate the flush valve and then returning to a normal lowered position while allowing the toilets lift lever to idle in the up position before returning to its normal lowered position.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the toilets standard flush handle remains in place and operative so that toilet may be flushed manually if desired.
 4. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly is powered by four (4) replaceable AA size batteries expected to last 2 to 3 years based on published power consumption requirements of the electronics.
 5. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly may be installed in a right hand or left hand toilet having flush handles on the face or sides of the tank.
 6. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the gear motor and electronics are located in a plastic box which is suspended off of and within the top front side of the tank hidden from bathroom occupant view.
 7. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly's electronics utilize a very low power consumption sleep mode to extend battery life.
 8. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the assembly is shipped for use with left hand toilets but may be configured for right hand toilets by simply moving the lift rod to opposite side of the lift wheel, the mounting brackets to the opposite side of the box and rotating the assembly 180 degrees.
 9. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the lift arm may be adjusted up or down on the lift rod and locked in place.
 10. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the lift arm may be removed from the lift rod, rotated 180 degrees on placed back on the lift rod to provide expanded access to the toilets existing lift lever.
 11. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein multiple modes of operation may be set by the user; voice activation mode, voice and automatic operation mode and voice and vacation operation mode.
 12. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the assembly may contain a low power infrared sensing microprocessor and external infrared sensor as an option to voice microprocessor and microphone. 